Are you tired of giving the same old fondue sets, personalized towels, and kitchenware to friends and family when someone decides to tie the knot? How about a few ideas for unusual bridal shower gifts that’ll really make ‘em smile? Here are a few things you might just want to consider the next time someone you know and love is getting married. …

Spa Finder Gift Certificate

Now this is a bridal shower gift that you can present to the bride-to-be only or make it a double to include her groom. At www.SpaFinder.com, you’ll find gift certificates available for everything from facials to body wraps to (of course!) full-body massages. A gift like this can be used by the bride (and/or groom) before, during the honeymoon, or after the wedding.

Easy to personalize with the names of the recipient(s), these gift certificates come in all sorts of denominations ranging from $50 to $1,000 in $25 increments. These are accepted at more than 3,500 spas around the world, but make sure there’s one in the soon-to-be-married couple’s neighborhood before you shell out the bucks! And while you’re at the site, check out their candles, Harry & David assorted chocolate truffles, and other goodies created to pamper. You might want to buy a few things for yourself!

Custom-Created Oil Painting

You can give a bridal shower gift that will be cherished forever by having a custom oil painting done of the couple from a photograph. At www.WeddingShowerGifts.com, trained artists render remarkable likenesses in oil on real canvas for amazingly reasonable prices. Send them a picture of the bride and groom, and they’ll send you back a rolled canvas (no framing offered) of the subjects in your choice of prices and sizes: 8″x10″, 12″x16″, 16″x20″, or 20″x24″ priced from $90 to $470 plus shipping. From the time you send the photograph to them sending it back to you as a real oil painting only takes from between 15 and 20 days. The site also offers this service as a gift certificate.

Lottery Tickets

Now many people might frown on this as a bridal shower gift, but you’d be surprised at how happy the sight of them makes a prospective bride (or groom!). And if they win, well… You can bet they’ll forever be grateful to you for having been so thoughtful as to give them the chance to win big bucks in the state lottery! Buy them in a bunch – 20 or more – to make enjoying them that much more exciting. Put them in a small box, wrap elegantly, and then present it with aplomb. You just never know! You might be party to making someone a millionaire!

These are just a few ideas to get you thinking outside of the box – the bridal shower gift box, that is – and on your way to giving a gift that’s not only unusual, but always welcomed. So give it some thought! You’re sure to come up with some great ideas on your own.



Author: Lynn Doxley

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When it comes to bridal shower gifts, people think it’s easy to choose – until the time comes that you really have to choose. Ideally, people will only get married once, and you want things to be perfect for that one special time. Bridal shower gifts, like other wedding favors, are something which should not be taken too lightly. They are lifetime tokens of how we want to be remembered during the last few moments of singlehood. It’s not about giving the most expensive gifts; it’s about giving gifts that will be most treasured.

The reason for giving non-traditional personalized gifts is the fact that they can be fun and vibrant. They will provide the source of laughter and warmth to your wedding shower. Your wedding shower will in turn become something filled with fond memories. Below are a list of interesting ideas for your selection:

- Mixed CD – Youmay have shared some fond memories and they are kept in your memories with the help of songs. The collection of songs that have sentimental value compiled in a CD is a timeless gift. This symbolizes your everlasting friendship that have became stronger over the years and will continue to do so.

- Customized T-Shirts – These can be anything from faces, favorite cartoon characters or anything at all that can represent you and your guests. The fun T-Shirts can be used as a tool for a guessing game.

- Personalized Sweets – You can personalized just about anything these days and sweets are no exception. You can personalized candy bars, cupcakes or sweets and attach messages unique to each and everyone of the guests as well as the bride.

- Framed Photographs – Not just any photograph, select the ones which have you and the attendee from a memorable event. Make the frames funky and apt to the receiver’s personality.

- Name Plates – You can create funny or thoughtful name plates for your friends such as “Jane- fun, crazy, gorgeous” and they will definite bring warmth to their heart as well as tickle their fancy.

- Crazy Fortune Cookies – Making fortune cookies bear crazy and fun fortunes is great for bringing fun and laughter to your party. Imagine the look on your attendees face if the see messages such as “You still believe in Santa”.

You may be the kind of person who is comfortable with sticking with tradition. The originality of these wedding favours will bring a sense of comfort to you as you will be sure that they will be utilized. Below are some timeless gift:

- Kitchen Utensils or Appliances – Every woman surely needs one and kitchen appliances will seldom be in danger of collecting dust in the corner of the top shelf.

- Jewelry – Almost every woman loves jewelry and you will never go wrong with this type of gift. They don’t need to expensive but they have to be attractive or have significant meaning to the receiver.

- Bags – Bags are a woman’s best friend and by giving them as a gift, you will never go wrong. You can opt for sophisticated ones or simple ones and you can further make them special by putting a surprise gift inside them.

- Gift Baskets – Gift baskets can be filled with anything from bath soaps, shampoos, perfumes, towels or even food. It is one f the best gifts as you can create them at any budget and style or design them according to your likings.

Whatever the gift that you decide to give during your bridal shower will mean a lot to your real friends. You have shared so much with them and now, you also want to share the joy you feel by presenting them with wonderful gifts that comes straight from your heart. You must remember that it’s not the price tag that counts but the sentimental value the gifts carry and how you have used your creativity to incorporate your personality into the gift as well as your friends’.



Author: Ynavica William

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The bridal shower is one of the last nights before the wedding reception to get all the girls, bridesmaids, and wedding attendants together to just relax, take a break from all the planning, and have a fantastic time. Usually the maid of honor will plan the bridal shower and coordinate all the themes, decorations, favors, and food. If you’re faced with the task of planning this party in addition to helping the bride along with all of her planning, then you might find yourself in a position that comes with responsibility and some stress.

You should try taking a step back and thinking about what everyone wants out of this bridal shower. The common denominator is just the idea of having fun, so plan some events, games, or dances that everyone can participate in at the bridal shower. The party favors can have a big impact on the celebration, especially if you pick the perfect favors that will keep everyone engaged and talking throughout the party. A simple way of doing this is by shopping online.

The bridal shower should be a fun time that denotes the excitement of the upcoming wedding in which everyone will be at the height of their great moods and big hopes for the future. If you are planning a bridal shower and want to make it absolutely perfect then try including elements that will be present at the actual wedding party such as including some similar decorations, music, or activities to get everyone excited for the wedding and to give everybody a little taste of what they’ve been planning for the past few months.

One of the most important parts of the bridal shower, and, in fact, its namesake, is ’showering’ the bride with gifts and warm wishes for her wedding. Give her some gifts for her new home such as linens, dinnerware and flatware, or just some decorations that will warm up the new home with the personalities of all the bride’s closest friends. Gag gifts and funny novelties are very popular at bridal showers. Here are some examples of what you can find online for bridal shower favors, bridal shower gifts, and any other accessories that you’ve been trying to find.

Heart Measuring Spoon:

These measuring spoons would be terrific gifts at your bridal shower especially if your guests love to cook and bake special treats in their own homes. The heart shaped spoons are a great reminder of the love that brings everyone together on your special day and is a great way to say thank you to everyone at the bridal shower for their help that they’ve given you with such great love.

Pewter Shell Bookmark:

What a great way to lead into a beach or summer themed wedding! These adorable bookmark charms will certainly be received in a great way by the guests at your bridal shower. The shell and starfish charms come on an elegant ribbon that will fit into any book that your guests are reading. They will certainly be thankful every time they need to mark a page and they end up reaching for this great keepsake from your fantastic party.



Author: Joe Palladino

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le agree that the very first bridal shower, many years ago, helped to bring the end of the dowry system. Friends and family showered a young woman whose father wouldn’t give her a dowry with many of the items she and her groom would need to begin a life together.

It evolved into parties held by the bride’s closest friend, was all women, and was an afternoon of games, gifts and laughter. Today, it could involve mixed genders and held at all times of day.

However, planning bridal showers should be done with care, as this is a gift giving event celebrating a gift giving event. This is also an optional pre-wedding party. So, these parties are not requested.

Who Hosts? Bridal showers can be hosted by a variety of people, such as a friend, member of the wedding (any gender), and it could be single gender, or co-ed. However, family members should never host, with the exception of a sister if she is also a bridesmaid. It is considered self-serving and as if begging for gifts. Hosts should be close friends of the bride. Friends of the bride’s mother are not a good option if the bride doesn’t know them.

Note: The Maid of Honor typically hosts this with the help of the other bridesmaids. But, this is a choice. It is not mandatory or part of their duties.

When? It should be scheduled after all engagement parties, after the couple registers, and at least a couple of weeks before the wedding.

Any time of the day is fine, with the afternoon still the most popular time. Typically the time of day is closely tied to the theme of the party. An after-five party would suggest that this will be a cocktail party.

Multiple Parties? There could be multiple parties, but never invite the same person to more than one. They are usually informal, but can sometimes be quite elaborate. It can be held anywhere, a home, restaurant, hotel; you are only restricted by your imagination. It could be a lunch, brunch, barbecue, pool party, cocktail party – co-ed or no. However, having more than two showers hosted for the couple can create an atmosphere of double gift grabbing. So, plan carefully.

Important Note: Do not use any of the gifts until after the wedding.

Who is Invited? Family, friends, and those who are participating in the wedding are invited. The bridal party is expected to attend all parties, but is not expected to give gifts at each one.

Bridal showers are partly used to help involve those closest to the couple in the celebration, to bring the excitement closer to everyone. So it follows that only those invited to the wedding should be invited to the bridal shower. The guest list should not be a repeat of all the female guests invited to the wedding. And, hosts should send the invitations at least two weeks before the shower.

The one exception to the “who is invited rule” is the work shower. These participants don’t have to be invited to the wedding. Generally, the bride’s associates host a surprise bridal shower directly before the wedding. Refreshments and often a group gift are provided.

Words of Thanks! These thank you notes should be written as soon as possible, by hand and have included a personal note regarding the gift. Guests have bought a bridal shower gift and more than likely will give the couple another gift for their wedding. Weddings can be very expensive for guests. Show your appreciation, please.

A Word of Caution: A disturbing trend has been developing to produce the “mega-bridal shower”, some even as large as 60 to 100 guests. Many of these are hosted by the bride’s mother, which is a faux pas for obvious reasons.

Bridal showers are meant to be small, intimate gathering of friends and family who want to give the bride gifts and share in the joy of planning the wedding. This party helps the guests feel as if they are a part of the wedding planning process. If you plan this pre-wedding party wisely and use these bridal shower ideas, you’ll have a happy bride and happy guests.



Author: Donna Ennis

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Bridal showers are a traditional way in which friends of the bride can come together to help her celebrate her upcoming marriage. It is also a time when she is showered with gifts to help her start her new life. A popular theme for bridal showers is the lingerie theme, and for this theme you need bridal shower invitations that match.

The bridal shower invitations say a lot about the theme of the bridal shower. This is the best way to let your guests know that you are having a theme bridal shower, and what types of gifts would be keeping with that theme.

For this theme you will need specialized bridal shower invitations; fortunately if you are not anxious to make them yourself, you will likely find several cute bridal shower invitations from online retailers who specialize in announcements and invitations.

There are a lot of fun things you can do with bridal shower invitations for a lingerie theme. You can go very simple, with pictures of lingerie, or you can actually use invitations that are in the shape of different styles of lingerie.

As you are preparing to choose your bridal shower invitations, keep in mind that the wording on the invitations is also important. Not only should the wording stay within the theme, it should also be fun. The wording on the bridal shower invitations is how you will let guests know exactly what type of party it will be, as well as which gifts would be best to bring.

Along with the bridal shower invitations you will need thank you cards. Bridal showers are meant to celebrate an upcoming marriage, and to shower the bride with gifts; in return the bride should send out thank you cards about two to three weeks after the bridal shower. The thank you cards should also stay within theme, but this is easy if you purchase them at the same time that you buy your bridal shower invitations.

While you are shopping for bridal shower invitations you will want to keep a few things in mind. First, the best bridal shower invitations will be on high quality cardstock, but along with quality, you will want invitations that are affordable. To find both, quality and affordable bridal shower invitations may require some shopping around, and price comparison.

No matter what type of theme you choose for your shower, choose some great bridal shower invitations to reflect that theme.



Author: Robert

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Custom Bridal Shower Invitations & Rehearsal Dinner Invitations Cards Like other traditions associated with weddings, there is little information available as to the origin of the bridal shower. Although stories of bridal shower-type events have been around since the late 1800s, bridal showers became popular in the United States during the middle part of the 1900s and Bridal Shower Invitations were not used until much later.

In terms of tradition, the purpose of a bridal shower is for you to give gifts to a bride before she is married. The party usually takes place toward the end of her engagement. When you or a friend of yours announces an engagement, there will come a time when a bridal shower becomes an important (and often necessary) event.

If the shower is for you, it is considered tradition to have your made of honor, or a bridesmaid, organize the bridal shower. In some cultures, it is considered rude for you or a close relative to host the bridal shower, usually because there are gifts involved with the shower. It is then the host’s responsibility, not yours, to plan the party, including the responsibility of creating and sending out invitations. In addition to sending out the invitations, the host is also responsible for organizing the actual shower, which often includes food and games.

Sometimes, your bridal shower may be combined with another event, the Bachelorette Party Invitations, but usually, the bridal shower is an independent event. Most of the time, the bridal shower is your chance to get together with your friends and celebrate your upcoming wedding. And, don’t forget the Rehearsal Dinner Invitations.

Gifts are also a major part of a bridal shower party. While some of your friends may choose to give you useful gifts, most bridal shower gifts involve fun items such as lingerie and other intimate apparel. The point is to get you ready for the wedding, which includes the wedding night and honeymoon.

Since it is the responsibility of your host to manage the guest list for your bridal shower, it is important that she (or he in some cases) has a place to find announcements and invitations for your bridal shower. Websites are very popular for creating personalized and customized invitations and announcements. Whether you are looking for something fun and flirty, or something a little more serious, online shops are an excellent place to go.

By shopping at online stores, you can create affordable, customized invitations and announcements for your bridal shower. There is even an option that allows you to add a personal photo to the invitation. The instant preview feature also allows you to see your work before it goes to the printers.

A bridal shower is a perfect way to celebrate your upcoming wedding. With the help of experienced staff and customer-friendly websites, you can create the perfect invitation or announcement to make sure that all of your close friends and relatives are able to attend and participate in this very important event. Show off your personality, or the personality of the bride with a customized invitation. Without the invitations, there will not be any guests at your bridal shower, and no guests at a bridal showers means no presents for you to enjoy.



Author: Sarah Porter

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Setting a theme for the party is easy to do. Just announce it on the invitations and address what sort of gift should be brought. Some ideas for theme parties are:

- For the honeymoon: Guests bring gifts that would be useful on the honeymoon. Be sure to include the brides size requirements. It is also wise to include any allergies to fruit since some gifts, like edible body gels, may include actual fruit extracts.

- For the kitchen: This can include not only cooking utensils, but food. Encourage guests to help the couple stock their new kitchen. You can go a step further by requesting special gadgets, like sandwich machines and indoor grills.

- Garden Party: This party theme is for the gardening bride. Have guests bring things to help the bride establish a garden at her new home. Guests can bring tools, flowers or even clipping from their own garden.

These are just a few ideas on theme parties, but they should give you a good starting spot. You can see that giving the guests a set theme idea will help them easily chose a gift.

Another way to help guests chose a good bridal shower gift is to have each guest bring a gift that will then be put together to make a larger gift. Here are some examples:

- Bring a quilt square: Each quest decorates a quilt square to bring to the party which is then constructed for the bride by the party host. Be sure to include the measurement requirements for each individual square in the invitation. If you want you can include the base square with the invitation so uniformity is maintained.

- Make a recipe collection: You can have each quest bring a covered dish and the recipe for that dish to the party. Each recipe is then collected and put in a book for the bride.

- Build a scrapbook: Guests bring mementos, pictures, letters that can be constructed into a scrapbook for the bride. These items brought can range from childhood to high school to her relationship with the groom.

These ideas allow for each person to contribute to a nice gift without spending a large amount of money. If there are a lot of people invited this may be a great idea. If there are not too many guests have them do three quilt squares or bring a few extra recipes or mementos. You can also call those who can not make it and still have them contribute. Putting together a memory for the bride will surely be a gift she will love.

Helping guests to chose the best bridal party gift will reduce duplicate gifts and ensure the bride can use what she receives. Make sure you include all necessary information on the invitation and that you offer your help if they need it. Using a theme or constructing a collection gift will make it easy on your guests to get the gift-giving out of the way and to be able to enjoy the bridal shower.



Author: Joe Palladino

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The purpose of a bridal shower is to give the bride time to kick back and relax, and have fun with her female relatives and friends. Often many different games are played at a bridal shower, and gifts are often bought for the bride. Some of these gifts may be intended as housewarming presents or items that the bride and groom can use together, but other times the gifts are more for the bride herself to enjoy and pamper herself with. If you plan on following bridal shower etiquette, then you should know that traditionally, it is the duty of the maid of honor to organize and host the shower, while the bridesmaids should all pitch in to help with the planning and setup of it.

Shower invitations are an integral part of any bridal shower theme. In the planning process, once a date and a time is set, then it is time to consider a bridal shower theme, and immediately select matching shower invitations to send out to all of the invited guests. Regardless of the type of shower being held, invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks in advance, so that those guests who are invited have time to plan out their schedule accordingly and purchase a gift, if they would like to do so.

Wedding gifts are something entirely separate from the gifts that are given at a bridal shower. While bridal shower presents may focus mostly on the bride, with only some of the wedding gifts having any function for the bride and the groom, and/or the home they will have together, the presents given at a wedding are definitely intended for both the bride and the groom. Most of the time the bride, or the bride and the groom will get together and create a store or online registry that contains many of the items they would love to have when beginning their life together with. Because it is considered tacky and in poor taste to include bridal shower registry information with wedding invitations or bridal shower invitations, it is generally relied upon word of mouth to get the word out about those registries.

If there is no wedding registry to work off of, then relax and know that any of the following items will make for a perfect wedding gift: pots and pans, dishes, kitchen appliances, home decor items, spa and luxury bathing center gift certificates, gift cards to home furnishing stores, electronic items, towels, curtains and bed linens.



Author: Kimberly Green

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Traditionally, most brides-to-be are expecting shower gifts that are very helpful when they became housewives. A bride may tend to expect household items that she and her husband-to-be can use when they begin their new life together. These items can be stuff that bride would use to care her husband, and maintain their own home. With this idea, to come up with a bridal shower gift is as easy as going to the house wares section of your local department stores.

However, bridal shower ideas have changed. Traditional gifts are no longer a hit nowadays. Don’t be the only one who brings vacuum while everyone else has prepared great bridal shower gift ideas that a modernized bride will really appreciate. Something that can pamper and prepare the bride-to-be for her upcoming event can make an idea preference to come up with a very nice shower present.

Today’s brides are no longer from being daddy’s little girl, to man’s new other behalf. Modern brides are usually independent living their lives on their own for a while, have their own career, and are interested in living in a married life. This will going to be a major commitment, therefore their independent experience mold them, becoming them ready and brave to face a new challenge of life.

The time comes that you, a close friend of bride-to-be, should give something that she wouldn’t buy for herself or something she won’t remember as her wedding day draws near. Here are few gift suggestions to pamper your friend, the bride-to-be:

* Spa Gift. Spa gift is definitely perfect if to pamper the bride is what you really opt give. Why not treat her in a day at spa? A day of relaxation in a spa or massage parlor can release some of the bride’s wedding jitters. You could also give spa collection. For instance, a gift basket filled with relaxing aromas can give her reason to enjoy hours of bathing. A spa basket include shower gels, soaps, lotions, soft towels and even scented candles and other personal items just for her.

* Wedding Survival Kit. Expect that the wedding will gonna be busy, full of excitement as well as surprises that sometimes, good or bad. Think of the things she might not think about as she’s getting ready right before the ceremony begins. Give her a wedding survival kit gift, which she might not expect you can give. This idea works well and often used during the last minute preparation of the bride. It include hairspray, perfume, hair clips or pins, brush, lipstick, and anything she or her attendant might need right before the wedding entourage. Place them in a neat carrying case with a special note.

* Sentimental Present. Sentimental gift is a concept that works well for bride’s family and best friends. The gift should refer to something that the bride and people that are very close to her heart have shared. Few good ideas are picture frames and photo albums. Include fun and memorable photos that will surely give her a teary eyes. You may consider engraved picture frames or albums that can make a special keepsake as she began to live her new life with a new companion. Other personalized gifts that can carry deep sentiment are engraved jewelry gifts, personalized bridal shirts and handbags.



Author: Janet R.

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Bridal showers – every bride’s dream. When the bridal shower begins, it signals the onset of a wedding, a special day, and a momentous event all in one. All the bride’s closest friends and female relatives get together to shower the bride with gifts, wish her the best of luck on her upcoming wedding, and reminisce about old times – the old boyfriends, the first date, and the days of college friendship. It’s not surprise then, that bridal shower invitations are often personal, prescient, and sincere.

Bridal showers are a tradition endemic to the United States and Canada in the 20th century. As such, the majority of bridal shower invitations are sold in U.S. web stores. There is scant evidence that bridal showers originated in Belgium in the mid-19th century. In either case, bridesmaids network to throw a party at the home of the bride and groom. They give gifts for the new home and share nostalgic memories. Legend has it that the bridal showers actually date much farther back, to the colonial era. At that time, when a father did not approve of a marriage, the friends would compensate for the loss of the father’s dowry bestowal by bringing their own gifts.

Bridal showers require bridal shower invitations, and they’re not sent out by the bride herself. Oftentimes, the primary leader of the bridal shower party will notify the bride as to the time of her bridal shower. Afterwards, this same leader will send out the invitations to other close friends and relatives that are not part of the bridesmaid brigade. Friends and relatives that aren’t bridesmaids, i.e., hosts, are out of the loop, and invitations are sent out to these people.

Bridal showers thrived in big cities in the early 20th century and afterwards spread to rural areas. Through this process, Americans became obsessed with bridal showers. Bridal shower invitations, the newest most popular phase in the evolution of the bridal shower, are sold in great abundance online.

These are often less expensive and lighter in tone and mood than the wedding invitations. They’re merely for friends, and they often express warm, heartfelt feelings in a cartoon-like or illustrated picture card.

The term, shower, refers to a bridal shower, as in the bride being showered with gifts from friends. It’s like a birthday party for your wedding and it has become a mainstay American holiday just like the birthday itself.



Author: Jeff Fain

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